For long periods of Canada’s World Cup Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it looked like the co-hosts would fall short, but forward Cyle Larin came off the bench to calm their nerves with an equalizer that secured a glorious first point.
Playing in the country’s first men’s World Cup match on home soil, the Canadians enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created plenty of chances.
A sucker-punch goal from Jovo Lukic for the Bosnians in the 21st minute left the World Cup hosts in a deep hole and it was up to Larin to pull them out.
After spending 76 minutes on the bench after being left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up, Southampton striker Larin had a point to prove and scored less than three minutes after coming off a superb turn and shot.
“I mean, I want to play every game and I’ve worked all those seasons in my club to play every game, but sometimes you don’t have control, but I have to show when I go into the game and I showed today that I should play,” he told Canadian TV.
Canada had plenty of success attacking down the wings and working the ball into the box, but their attack lacked a dominant focal point and Bosnia’s defense was able to handle most of what was thrown at them with relative ease.
That changed when 31-year-old Larin injected some much-needed composure and control into a gutsy Canadian performance, scoring a goal that will put them in good stead ahead of their next game against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18.
“I think we just have to stay focused in every moment and it’s the World Cup,” Larin said. “I think we gave away a set-piece goal and we (just) need to build on this game.
“We have to play at home again in Vancouver and we just have to push the limit and be killers around the ball.”
Despite being under pressure from the expectant home fans for most of the game, defender Alistair Johnston said they proved to be a key factor in the Canadian comeback.
“It felt like they probably put that ball in the net for us … we’re going to have to continue to build on that. We’re going to need this crowd with us,” he told Canadian TV.
